Coating Technology Views: 29

Coating greatly improves tool life and machining quality. Benefits: 1. Higher hardness: coatings are much harder than the tool body, improving wear resistance; 2. Lower friction: smooth coating surface with low friction coefficient reduces cutting force and welding; 3. High-temperature performance: coatings keep working at high temperature, protecting the tool body; 4. Oxidation resistance: coating prevents oxidation and extends life; 5. Better finish: coated tools cut more smoothly for cleaner surfaces. Common coatings compared: 1. TiN (titanium nitride): about 2000HV, service to 500 degrees C, gold color, for regular steel and cast iron, cheap and versatile, but moderate high-temperature performance - not for high-speed or difficult materials. 2. TiCN (titanium carbonitride): about 3000HV, 400 degrees C, grey-black, for steel and stainless - harder than TiN but slightly weaker at high temperature. 3. TiAlN (titanium aluminum nitride, most recommended): about 3500HV, 800 degrees C, violet-black, for stainless, alloy steel, hard steel and high-speed cutting - excellent high-temperature performance, high hardness, low friction - currently the most versatile coating! 4. AlCrN (aluminum chromium nitride): about 3200HV, 1100 degrees C, for very hard materials, dry cutting and high-temperature alloys - outstanding heat resistance but pricey. 5. DLC (diamond-like carbon): about 2000HV, extremely low friction (0.1), for aluminum and graphite - best anti-welding, but moderate heat resistance - not for steel. Recommendations: 1. Stainless, alloy steel, hard steel: TiAlN (strongly recommended); 2. Regular carbon steel, cast iron: TiN or TiAlN - TiAlN lasts longer; 3. Aluminum, anti-welding: DLC or TiAlN; 4. High-speed or dry cutting: TiAlN or AlCrN; 5. General use, tight budget: TiN. All Lihao Technology cobalt HSS countersinks use TiAlN nano-coating - 3500HV, 800 degrees C resistance, low friction, anti-welding, with 2-3x the life of uncoated tools!